Chapter 186: Chapter 183: After a Brief Look, He’s Nowhere to Be Found in the Residence

The small waiter’s eyes lit up, and he immediately became respectful.

"Esteemed sir, is there anything I can assist you with?"

Ruan Mian signaled him to close the doors and windows of the private room, and once they were alone, began inquiring about Jiang Zhen.

He had already changed his name to Tu Ji after arriving in Tunan City.

Upon hearing this, the waiter immediately began to talk.

"Sir, you’ve come to the right person for information. That Tu Ji used to be a major merchant in our city, our shop was even bought from him."

"However, he disappeared a year ago. His brother has been searching for him everywhere, almost turning the entire Liaole Country upside down, but still no trace."

"Is the person currently living in his mansion his brother?"

"Yes, it’s common knowledge. He came looking for family two years ago and was acknowledged by Mr. Tu Ji himself. They even held a feast in the neighborhood at the time."

"What a pity that just a year after reuniting with his brother, he vanished. That brother of his was lucky, getting his hands on such a vast inheritance."

Xie Huai’an smiled and asked, "How come nobody suspects his brother? Is it a coincidence to come back and inherit such a large fortune?"

The waiter chuckled awkwardly and lowered his voice, "Of course there are suspicions, but no one has evidence. Besides, his brother did spend a lot of money looking for him. But..."

His eyes were fixed on the gold leaf.

Ruan Mian swiftly stuffed the gold leaf into his sleeve, and the waiter immediately started talking.

"But there’s something I’ll only tell you two guests: Mr. Tu Ji’s wife was sold to a brothel a while back, and this isn’t something many people know about."

Ruan Mian glanced at Xie Huai’an; this was obvious enough, and perhaps the wife being sold into the brothel had more to uncover, potentially shedding light on Jiang Zhen’s whereabouts.

After leaving the noodle shop, nightfall had already descended.

She turned around and secured a private room at an inn. Xie Huai’an instinctively asked for two rooms, but before he could finish, Ruan Mian had already led him upstairs.

"We are already married, no need for such formality, my lord."

Upon entering the room, she looked at him seriously, "My lord is skilled in deduction and solving cases. What does my lord think of today’s events?"

Xie Huai’an had already guessed her thoughts, "Mianmian, you probably didn’t expect that on your first day in Tunan City you’d encounter such a dilemma."

"Since it concerns your aunt, naturally, you won’t just stand by. You came here looking for Jiang Zhen, and now that he’s missing, the only clue left is his wife, who was sold to a brothel."

"Under these circumstances, there’s no reason not to meet his wife, is there?"

Ruan Mian knew he understood her.

She then took some items out of her bag, lightly disguised herself in front of a mirror, pinned her hair up high with a jade crown, darkened her skin with wall ash, and thickened her eyebrows.

She was already quite tall and radiant, so a slight transformation and wearing men’s clothing didn’t look mismatched.

Xie Huai’an teased, "My dear, dressed like this, be cautious in that brothel. Some shady types prefer young courtesans with fair powdered faces."

Ruan Mian chuckled, "My lord seems quite experienced."

Xie Huai’an was slightly taken aback, coughed a few times, and urged her to leave.

...

Having gathered the location of the brothel from the waiter, since they hadn’t seen Jiang Zhen’s wife before, they weren’t sure where to begin.

But seeing her bulging purse, Ruan Mian quickly had an idea.

As she and Xie Huai’an entered, she tossed a few pieces of silver into the doorman’s hands, "Fetch your madam, tell her esteemed guests are here."

The doorman caught the hefty silver and his eyes gleamed. Without hesitation, he led them to the luxurious upstairs guest room.

Ruan Mian’s generous demeanor even left Xie Huai’an a bit stunned.

"You possess quite some wealth, my dear."

"In a place driven by money, since we’re here to accomplish something, there’s no point in being stingy. As they say, you can’t catch a wolf without sacrificing your goat."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Nanny Lou waltzed over with her swaying hips.

"Ah, two young lads, you seem unfamiliar here. Is it your first time at our establishment? What can I do for you? Just ask, and Nanny Lou will surely do her best to fulfill your needs."

Noticing Ruan Mian taking out a gold piece, she couldn’t hide her excitement.

Not to mention finding someone, even purchasing a girl was possible.

Therefore, when Ruan Mian stated whom she was looking for, Nanny Lou didn’t think twice and immediately had the doorman bring the woman bound from the firewood room.

All the way there, the woman was fiercely resisting and struggling!

She was kicked heavily to the ground in front of Ruan Mian.

"Sir, this is the person you’re looking for."

"However, she’s not at all cooperative. Look at how good her face used to be, and now it has turned into this."

Ruan Mian saw that the woman’s face was covered in ghastly scars, incredibly disturbing.

In fact, her features were exquisite; without those horrifying scars, she would have been quite beautiful.

Seeing the terror on her face, Ruan Mian felt a pang of sympathy.

She guessed that the scars were likely self-inflicted to resist being sold, preferring to destroy her looks instead.

Ruan Mian waved her hand, signaling Nanny Lou and her entourage to leave.

Leaving only her and Xie Huai’an with the woman.

As soon as Nanny Lou’s people left, the woman suddenly pulled a dagger from her sleeve and was about to slash her throat!

Fortunately, Xie Huai’an, quick on his feet, kicked the dagger away.

Ruan Mian immediately stepped forward and asked, "Are you Jiang Zhen’s wife?"

Hearing the words Jiang Zhen, the woman suddenly looked up, her eyes teary yet unable to speak.

Realizing something was amiss, Ruan Mian held her chin to open her mouth and discovered her tongue had been cut.

Her pupils contracted, and she turned to retrieve pen and ink, "Can you write?"

"Listen to me, do you recall Jiang Zhen ever mentioning a foster mother in Da Jing Mianzhou named Ruan Junlan?"

"I am the niece of Ruan Junlan. My aunt sent me here to meet Jiang Zhen, but after visiting Tu Ji’s mansion, I found Jiang Dao occupying it. And you’ve been sold here; do you know where Jiang Zhen is now?"

The mute woman’s eyes were filled with suspicion, clearly not trusting them.

Ruan Mian thought for a moment and handed over the jade pendant given to her by her aunt.

"Do you recognize this?"

Upon seeing the jade pendant, the mute woman finally showed some emotion.

Tears began streaming down her face uncontrollably.

Trembling, she took the jade pendant, treasured it, and held it close to her heart.

Ruan Mian gently patted her shoulder reassuringly and, glancing around the room, placed the pen and ink in front of her.

"You can trust us. If you know your husband’s whereabouts, please tell me quickly; perhaps I can save him."

The mute woman’s hands shook as she slowly wrote a line.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by lotustale.com